salt

How much is too much salt?

Would you stop smoking to avoid a heart attack? Would you eat less salt for the same reason?

The World Health Organisation says that reducing salt is as important as stopping smoking when it comes to reducing heart disease. Too much salt also increases the risk of stomach cancer and osteoporosis, and raises blood pressure – a major cause of strokes.

But surveys suggest only half of us check how much salt we’re eating.

Which of these contains the most salt?

How to lower your sodium intake

That extra fluid can be hard on your heart and blood vessels. It can cause high blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease or stroke. High amounts of salt also raise your risk of kidney stones and bone loss.